This light post, across the street from The State Exchange Bank in Mankato, broke off at the base on Saturday. The whole east side of the street was without power while the light post was removed.
Thirteen members and two guests attended the 2022 annual meeting at the Mankato Chamber of Commerce last Tuesday, at the Buffalo Roam Steakhouse. President Jason Ortman called the meeting to order. Brian Shulda gave the treasurer's report which was approved.
Jason Ortman gave a report for Mankato Cares. $5,930 was paid out to All Weather Roofing to help cover the cost of repairing the Pizza Hut Lot wall. This money was previously gifted to Mankato Cares and ear marked for this purpose. A total of $16,680 was received in grants for the 150th celebration, from Dane G. Hansen Foundation and Jewell County Foundation. Grant reports for this project must be submitted by July 4th, and no other grants can be applied for from these foundations while the 150th grants are "open." Other amounts paid in and out are related to 150th incomes and expenses. All event finances will be run through the Mankato Cares checking account to ensure proper accountability.
There is a $10 filing fee to maintain 501(c)(3) status with the IRS. There is a $40 filing fee to maintain Non-profit status with the Kansas Secretary of State, separate from the chamber's annual filing. A motion to add the filing fees to the chamber's budget carried.
Jason Ortman reported on the things the chamber accomplished in 2021. The chamber completed several projects and events such as; the HWY 36 Travel Guides, Community Wide Clean-Up, Mother's Day Chicken Dinner, Community Garden, Watermelon Popping Contest, Wheat Street, Garage Sale Mall, Downtown Trick-or-Treat, Pumpkin Decorating Contest, Christmas in Mankato and the Community Birthday Calendars. A scholarship was presented to Karrigan Dunstan and $500 donated to the Jewell County Foundation March Match Month. The website had an average of 1,525 views per month with February being the highest views total with 2,253. Overall the chamber had another successful year that wouldn't have happened without all the volunteers that make these events and projects possible.
Ashley Svaty and Brenda Langdon with the Post Rock Extension Office were guest speakers. They spoke about a new project at Kiers Thriftway. "Simply Produce" is the name of the new program. Jan. 19, through noon on Jan. 25. People can go into the store and order 15 lbs. of produce for $15. They pay for the baskets when they are ordered and then go back to the store the first Tuesday of the month from 12 to 12:30 p.m. to pick up the basket. Along with the baskets people will receive recipe cards to give them new ideas of ways to prepare the fresh produce. Volunteers are needed to help put the baskets together and help distribute them.
The Community Birthday Calendars will be sold at various locations around town at least through the end of January. They can be bought for $5 at State Exchange Bank, Farmway Credit Union, Hair & More, Mankato Express, Paul Wilson's office and Mankato Plumbing.
The chamber discussed the youth activities for the 150th Celebration. It was decided the best time to have the activities would be downtown Saturday morning from roughly 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. An email will be sent to chamber members to see what ideas they might have for activities and report back at February's meeting. Then the chamber members can decide if they need to have a separate meeting to plan. The 150th Celebration Committee will have their next meeting Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at the Community Center. All are encouraged to attend!
There was further discussion of the two travel bloggers who will be traveling along Highway 36 this spring. They will be in Mankato Saturday April 9. They will arrive around 9 a.m. An email will be sent to members asking for ideas of interesting places they could visit.
The Membership Drive has started. Membership forms have been mailed to past members to be collected until March 1. The membership form has also been posted on the website. Forms will be sent to members who have not paid by February 1, so that they receive both the email and an actual form in the mail.
Jessica Shulda reported on Santa's Workshop. The event took place Dec. 10 and 11. It allowed for pre-registered shoppers to participate. This year there were 153 youth and 1,182 gifts purchased. After expenses there was a $9.29 profit which doesn't sound like much, but the committee has worked hard to be a self-sustaining event and hasn't had to ask businesses or the chamber for donations because of various fundraisers throughout the years. They have 679 gifts to carry over to next year. The committee hopes to apply for a grant in the spring for totes or carts to carry gifts to make shopping easier for the "elves" that help the children.
Tammy Finnell has contacted the chamber about coordinating the "Music in the Park" with the Mother's Day Luncheon this year. They would like to have music following the luncheon like they have done in the past. Mother's Day is May 8. The chamber tabled the discussion until next month's meeting.
Board members' terms ending in 2021 were president,Jason Ortman, and vice-president, Brian Shulda. They were re-elected to serve another three- year term. Other board members include Paul Wilson, treasurer, Haley Nelson, secretary, James Berry, Trevor Elkins and Lori Zadina.
The next meeting will take place Feb. 9, at Bob's of Mankato.
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